an observation

[VideoHere]

hi folks,

you know having read my share of books on voice, i have come to realize key elements pretty much common among most instructors/authors.

this list is merely my observation and is in no way directed at anyone or any technique in particular.

i mean no harm or disrespect to anyone.

there are as many theories and techniques as there are teachers.

some articulate way better than others.

some wreak with arrogance and pomposity.

some make more money per hour than my dentist on a busy day.

some are so concerned with voice preservation that you end up being afraid to sing.

some are consummate marketers first, voice instructors second...or maybe third or forth.

some can't "sing what they preach."

some withold the secrets till the next book, and the next.

some end up on youtube teaching voice who are in no way qualified whatsoever.

i guess it's just a fact of life.....yes?

[Snorth]

The thing I found so annoying yet quite fascinating about singing is the fact that there is never one best solution to solve a certain problem for everyone. This is what often makes me hesistate when giving people advice on vocal forums. Because even though a certain picture, technique etc has given me great progress does not mean it will work good at all for someone else. In our physics there are so many factors that we cannot see, and simply have to get to know through various vocal experiments.

In the end, the singers who have the biggest technical freedom are those who have gone through a long process of getting to know themselves.

[VideoHere]

The thing I found so annoying yet quite fascinating about singing is the fact that there is never one best solution to solve a certain problem for everyone. This is what often makes me hesistate when giving people advice on vocal forums. Because even though a certain picture, technique etc has given me great progress does not mean it will work good at all for someone else. In our physics there are so many factors that we cannot see, and simply have to get to know through various vocal experiments.

In the end, the singers who have the biggest technical freedom are those who have gone through a long process of getting to know themselves.

yes a lot of it is experimental and a level of confidence is needed to get past sticking points.

[ronws]

And some teaching systems and/or teachers spend all of the promo or "free" space telling you that they have this or that secret. The real secret is hard work and determination. So, juxtapose that, for example, with Lunte, who can do a tutorial on covering, onset, whathaveyou, and it looks like he is giving away his secrets. Well, the real secret is the hard work and determination. By the time you get to see another student on one of his weekend intensive video sound bytes, That person has been working on improvements and has even committed funds to go to Seattle or whatever city the intensives might be in. What you are seeing then is the result of hard work and determination.

So, for example, a student here that will be a success is Bob. Nothing came easy for him and he has worked for everything he has attained, and that extends to beyond singing. He has worked for every single thing he has. I can tell by his attitude because I grew up around people like him.

Totally off-subject and just for Bob. Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp is coming to the Dallas - Ft. Worth area of Texas and they will have one of the musicians from Foreigner. I thought about you, Bob, when I heard that on local radio.

The differences in teachers can also be found in inspiration. A teacher has to motivate, even after the student has paid their prices or the price has been paid. It is still up to the teacher to inspire and motivate the student to go through exercises.

And there is the example of the teacher. Can he or she walk as good as he or she can talk? That is, can they actually perform a whole song? Or a set? Do they believe in their own craft enough to work at it? And that may not be a fair test, always, either. There's an old saying, those that cannot do, teach. But, in my experience, some of the best teachers are at least somewhat capable in their craft. Not tooting my own horn but when I was teaching electrical work to disadvantaged students (in a institution funded and guided by the Dept. of Labor) I was the favored instructor by the students and I was the first instructor in at least 15 years who came from the background of being an actual, working electrician and my experience was a primary reason for me being hired.

So, I don't know if my ramblings help to define a quality instructor or not and they may certainly come from my own experience and upbringing. But I would say, as always, caveat emptor, buyer beware.

[analog]

Ron,

I imagine you would be a GREAT teacher.

[VideoHere]

And some teaching systems and/or teachers spend all of the promo or "free" space telling you that they have this or that secret. The real secret is hard work and determination. So, juxtapose that, for example, with Lunte, who can do a tutorial on covering, onset, whathaveyou, and it looks like he is giving away his secrets. Well, the real secret is the hard work and determination. By the time you get to see another student on one of his weekend intensive video sound bytes, That person has been working on improvements and has even committed funds to go to Seattle or whatever city the intensives might be in. What you are seeing then is the result of hard work and determination.

So, for example, a student here that will be a success is Bob. Nothing came easy for him and he has worked for everything he has attained, and that extends to beyond singing. He has worked for every single thing he has. I can tell by his attitude because I grew up around people like him.

Totally off-subject and just for Bob. Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp is coming to the Dallas - Ft. Worth area of Texas and they will have one of the musicians from Foreigner. I thought about you, Bob, when I heard that on local radio.

The differences in teachers can also be found in inspiration. A teacher has to motivate, even after the student has paid their prices or the price has been paid. It is still up to the teacher to inspire and motivate the student to go through exercises.

And there is the example of the teacher. Can he or she walk as good as he or she can talk? That is, can they actually perform a whole song? Or a set? Do they believe in their own craft enough to work at it? And that may not be a fair test, always, either. There's an old saying, those that cannot do, teach. But, in my experience, some of the best teachers are at least somewhat capable in their craft. Not tooting my own horn but when I was teaching electrical work to disadvantaged students (in a institution funded and guided by the Dept. of Labor) I was the favored instructor by the students and I was the first instructor in at least 15 years who came from the background of being an actual, working electrician and my experience was a primary reason for me being hired.

So, I don't know if my ramblings help to define a quality instructor or not and they may certainly come from my own experience and upbringing. But I would say, as always, caveat emptor, buyer beware.

thanks ron, i'm very flattered...hey if that foreigner member is gramm please let me know...i just might take plunge...lol!!! just have to sell and rent a lot more dvds...lol!!!

yes, i just want to add to what you so nicely said...you really have to work at it, if your goal is an outstanding professional level of expertise.

but i can you tell you this....they (the vocal exercises) definitely work!!!

you can get by on your natural ability, but this hard work ironically makes it so much easier!!!

[ronws]

Hey, Bob, I spaced on the guy's name. It was not Gramm but I think it was the lead guitar player. I know it wasn't the drummer because that has been Jason Bonham (son of John Bonham) for a while. I think it's one of the guitar players. But what a chance to do those songs with a guy that plays all the time for the past 30-something years.

[VideoHere]

Hey, Bob, I spaced on the guy's name. It was not Gramm but I think it was the lead guitar player. I know it wasn't the drummer because that has been Jason Bonham (son of John Bonham) for a while. I think it's one of the guitar players. But what a chance to do those songs with a guy that plays all the time for the past 30-something years.

It's $5000 for that camp holy st.....

i think i'll hold off...lol!!!! but then again, for l.g. i still might..

[ronws]

Wow, I didn't realize it was that expensive. That explains why most of the amateur attendants are doctors and lawyers. I remember seeing one with a surgeon who likes to sing the Who and had Roger Daltry coaching him on "Baba O'Riley."

I'm just trying to save for piddly things like a decent mic, the CVT system, maybe one day, a chance to have a weekend intensive in Seattle.